Convertible sofa



0. FICHTENBAUM.

CONVERTIBLE SOFA'.

APPLICATION FILED APH. 13, 1920.

Patented Dec. 28, 1920.`

QNMW

` UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

OSCAR FICHTENBAUM, OIE' NEW YORK, N. Y.

CONVERTIBL lSOFA.

Application led April 13,

To all 'wlw/m t may concern:

Be it known that I, OSCAR FIGHTENBAUM, a citizen of the United States, and resident of New York citv, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Convertible Sofas, of which the following is a specication.

My invention relates to convertible sofas or couches of the type which includes a concealed frame adapted to be expanded to form a bed.

One wellvlrnown type of frame for sofas of this nature is formed in a number of sections lying edge to edge when in expanded or bed-forming position, and having hinge connections so that in collapsing the frame the end section is swung up and over the adjacent or intermediate section into position parallel thereto, the two sections being then shifted into concealed position in the couch body.

It has been found desirable, especially when the sections are reversed, with the end section underneath, when shifted into concealed position, to provide means ordinarily of the latch type for holding the sections in fixed relation except when the end section is to be swung into its expanded location in forming the bed. An example of a construction of this type is disclosed in my Patent, #1,255,146.

In sofas of. this type, it is essential for commercial success that they should not only be strong and durable, but also so simple and easy to operate that no particular intelligence or strength is required in folding and unfolding the sections. Consequently, a latch for connecting the sections must not only be simple, strong, and positive in operation, but it must also be of such a nature that it .can be readily engaged and released in a way which will be obvious to the ordinary user. Furthermore, the latch must be` positive in operation, so that the two sections will move as a unit until the intermediate section is in position, so that the operator need only swing one unit at `a time. Moreover, in many constructions the bedding is folded up between the sections and located beneath the couch seat; and it is therefore necessary to provide a latch which will not interfere with the folding of the bedding, and which will not be liable to tear or damage such bedding.

The primary object of my invention is to Specicaton of Letters Patent. Patented Dec., l28, 1920.

1920. serial No. 373,673.

provide a latch construction which meets with these requirements, being strong, simple and positive in operation. A further object is to provide such a latch adapted to engage the side rails of the middle section both sides, and which is operated by a single member. Furthermore, I have provided a combined latch and spacing construction which serves to maintain the sec tions, when folded, at a iixed distance from each other.

y Another problem in construction of convertible sofas of this type is the provision of a suitable full sized foot board serving to prevent the bedding from sliding over the foot end of the bed. as a foot board of this-type when applied to the usual convertible sofa frame would tend to interfere with or prevent the folding of the foot section into proper relation with the intermediate section, and would obstruct or prevent the engagement'of the latches connecting the sections.

An object of. my invention is to provide a construction in which a foot board may be employed, so devised and arranged that it will not interfere with the folding operation. Moreover, when a mattress is folded between the sections, the bending of the mattress tends to project it beyond the foot, substantial resistance to this tendency resulting in buckling Or distortion of the mati tress. I have provided a foot board so sup ported that it may be shifted to permit a slight endwise movement of the mattress, thus enabling the latter to be folded without distortion.

ln the preferred form, I have provided a combined latch construction and foot board support, thus simplifying very substantially the construction of this part of the frame. Moreovenl have so arranged the foot board that the pressure of the bedding thereagainst will. not interfere with the operation of the latch.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side view of a convertible sofa in partially expanded position, parts being broken away, the fully expanded posi* tion being indicated in dotted lines, and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the end and intermediate sections in folded position,

Any 'preferred form of sofa body and support for the intermediate and end sections may be employed, the form shown being for convenience that of my said patent. The body includes ends 10 connected by a suitable back 11, which parts ordinarily are made of wood. A couch back 12 is provided, and preferably is pivoted in sofa ends 10, so that it canbe swung out of the way when the bed frame is unfolded, a latch 13 engaging a lug 14; serving to maintain the back in inoperative position.

A suitable framework 15 is mounted between ends 10 and is adapted to receive the folded sections and bedding when the parts are folded to form a sofa. A suitable wire bedspring or support 16 for the bedding is preferably employed, connected at one end to the Vend section hereinafter described, and at the other end to a suitable support carried by framework 15, such as head bar 17 mounted on the frame for vertical movement and limited in its ascent as by chain 18 connected to the head bar 17 and framework 15. This construction is disclosed in my said patent; but it is to be understood that this arrangement is purely optional, as my invention is independent thereof, and many other forms of construction for this part of the frame are well known. The middle section preferably includes a pair of side rails 19 movably connected at one end to framework 15, and in the form disclosed has an extension connected to a spring 2O adapted to facilitate the swinging of the middle section from sofa position into bed position, counterbalancing the weight of the sections and the bedding.

A seat 21 may be mounted on side rails 19, so that it will be located beneath them when the frame is in bed position, and above said rails when folded in sofa forming position. The form of seat disclosed and the connection of the middle section to the framework 15y is also purely illustrative, many other constructions being well known. Suitable legs 22 may be mounted on rails 19 adjacent the outer end thereof.

The end section preferably includes a pair of side rails 23 each connected to a rail `19 of the intermediate section, as by a spacing link 24 which, when the end section is folded over the intermediate section, will maintain adjacent ends of the sections in substantially spaced relation to accommodate the bedding. A foot rail 25 connected to side rails 23 eX- tends across the end of the foot section and carries one end of the bed spring 16. Suitable legs 26 are preferably mounted on side they lie substantially along the end section rails 23.

It will be understood that my invention does not depend upon the specic construction so far recited, and many variations and changes may be made therein or other 4well known forms employed in place thereof, without affecting my invention.

For maintaining side rails 23 of the end section in spaced parallel relation to side rails 19 of the intermediate section when the frame is folded, l employ a pair of latch or support members 28, each pivotally mounted on a rail 23 and provided adjacent its upper end with an engaging member, such as' notch 29, adapted to engage a cooperating element, such as pin 30, on a rail 19 of the intermediate section. The end of each latch member 28 is preferably beveled at 31 to force the descending member outwardly, through contact with pin 30, into position where notch 29 may engage said pin. Suitable resilient means for forcing members 28 inwardly is employed, helical springs 32, connected to members 28 and rails 23, being adapted for the purpose.

l provide means connecting latch members 28 for simultaneous latch operation. F or this purpose, I preferably employ a latch har 33 (Fig. 2) extending across the end section adjacent end rail 25, and connected to an end of each member 28. It will be apparent that if desired members 28 and latch bar 33 may be integral. With this arrangement, a pull on the latch bar 33 when the sections are in folded position, as shown in full lines in F ig. 1, will serve to release latch members 28, swinging them into the dotted position shown in said figure; and a continuation of the pull will serve to raise the end section and swing it into expanded position.

Suitable stop means may be provided fol` preventing latch members 28 from swinging outwardly beyond a predetermined point, a suitable construction for this purpose including the employment of a latch bar 33 located such a short distance from rails 23 that when latch members 28 are swung outwardly to the desired extent, the latch bar 33 will contact with side rails 23, limiting such movement. Obviously, other forms of stop may be provided. Moreover, it will be apparent that latch bar 33 need not be connected rigidly to latch members 28, and my invention is not limited to such a construction.

.For further facilitating the release of the latches by providing increased leverage thereon, I may employ a latch handle 34E mounted on latch bar 33 and extending inwardly therefrom a suitable distance, so that downward pressure on handle 341 will swing latch members 28 outwardly, disengaging them from pins 30 so that the end sections may be raised and moved into extended position. It will be apparent that handle 34 may be so constructed' that it will normally be close to bed spring 16, so that it will not obstruct or interfere with the folding operation or injure the bedding. It is, of course, apparent that more than one handle 34 may be employed if desired, and the handle may be mounted at any suitable point.

I preferably also provide a suitable foot board 35 pivotally mounted on latch members 28, as by pivots 36 located in an intermediate position on the ends of foot board 35 and between the ends of latch members 28. The parts are preferably so proportioned that when the frame is in expanded position, foot board 35 will normally be located in an approximately vertical position, being held therein in 'any desired way, as by the pressure of bedding 37, the lower edge of the foot board resting against a suitable stop which may be provided by end rail 25.

Vhen it is desired to fold up the bed, foot board 35 may be swung into approximately parallel relation to rails 23, as shown in Fig. 2, the end of bedding 37 being preferably tucked under the foot-board when in this position; though it is understood that if desired the bedding may merely be retracted somewhat into the body of the couch, leaving foot board 35 free to rotate without interference. With this arrangement, it will be apparent that foot board 35 may extend upwardly for a substantial distance when the frame is in expanded or bed position, without interfering with the folding of the sections and interengagement of the latches during the conversion from bed to couch.

Furthermore, it will be noted that by employing latch members 28 as section spacers and as'supports fowl; the foot board, I have eliminated any necessity for additional members or extensions on the frame to serve either of these functions.

Vhile I have described a convertible sofa construction of a well known type, and have shown latch means embodying my invention applied to this type, there are a number of other types of convertible sofas to which my invention is equally applicable. It will be apparent that my invention may be employed wherever a section, preferably an end section, is shifted into superposed relation to another section and releasably connected thereto.

lVhile I have described the preferred form of my invention and indicated certain variations therein, it will be evident that numerous other changes may be made without departing from my invention, as set forth in this specification.

I claim:

1. In a convertible sofa and bed, a body,

a foldable bed frame having a part attached to the body, an intermediate section and an end section, pivoted supports carried by the end section, and a foot board pivotally mounted at an intermediate point of each end thereof upon said supports, said pivoted foot board being adapted to hold the bedding against endwise movement when the frame is extended, and adapted to be turned to engage the flat side of the bedding when this frame is folded to hold the bedding against the frame and prevent buckling by permitting a slight endwise movement of the bedding outwardly from the body.

2. In a convertible sofa and bed, a frame having an end section foldable into superposed relation to the adjacent section of the frame, latch arms mounted on said end section on each side adjacent the free end there of and extending laterally therefrom, latch means carried by the outer end of each latch arm, complementary latch engaging means mounted on the adjacent section of the frame, and a foot board pivotally mounted at an intermediate point on each end upon said latch arms, said footboard adapted to be rotated into a plane parallel to the end section to engage the fiat side of the bedding, thereby permitting end movement of the bedding outwardly from the body and preventing buckling thereof when the frame is folded.

3. In a convertible sofa and bed, of the type having a frame composed of sections adapted to be folded in superposed relation, links connecting the end of one section to the adjacent end of another section, the sections and the links forming, when the sections are folded in superposed relation, a rectangular housing for the bedding, a U- shaped latch member consisting of a metal bar bent near its ends to form parallel arms having latch members near their ends, said arms being pivotally mounted on one section adjacent the end thereof, complementary latch engaging members on the adjacent section, resilient means for maintain .ing said latch members and complementary members in engagement, a foot-board pivotally mounted between said arms to have free pivotal movement and to give firmness and rigidity to the U-shaped latch member, and means whereby the latch carrying section may be depressed and the engagement between the latch members released, includ- 

